Telescoping box or carton having interlocking wall elements



R. c. STENGER TELESCOPING BOX OR CARTON HAVING Aug zl, 1951 2,555,053

INTERLOCKING WALL ELEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Filed July 7, 1949 Aug. 21, 1951 V R. c. STENGER TELESCOPING BOX 0R CARTON HAVING INTERLOCKING WALL ELEMENTS Filed July 7, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 iil 3 4 4 5 w w I I V z, 1 j f 5 7 a a fi fi 2 z m 7 W 5 J Patented Aug. 21, 1951 TELESCOPIN G BOX OR CARTON HAVING INTERLOCKING WALL ELEMENTS Richard C. Stenger, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application July 7, 1949, Serial No. 103,360

7 Claims. ((1229-35) This invention relates to improvements in telescoping boxes or cartons having interlocking wall elements. I

The main objectsof this invention are:

First, to provide covered boxes or cartons in which the body member and the cover are each formed of an integral blank which can be readily set up either by hand or by machine.

Second, to provide a covered box or carton in which one opposed pair of cover wall elements are provided with corner flaps, the other having slits receiving locking tongues on the corner flaps and in which the parts are so conformed and associated as to permit engagement of the cover with the body without displacing the interlocking parts of the cover.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the body and cover of my improved box or carton in separated relation.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the completely closed box somewhat enlarged as compared to Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a transverse section corresponding to that of Fig. 2 with the cover partially closed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary inside perspective view of one corner of the box showing the relation of the cover and body parts during the initial closing movement of the cover.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 4 with the cover' moved further to closing position and illustrating the camming. action on the locking flap which prevents engagement therewith with the body of the box.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the, blank of the body member.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank of the top member.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the box body member is formed of an integral blank suitably scored and slit to provide a bottom I, side walls 2 2 and end walls 33, the blank being scored to provide hinging connections for the side and end walls to the bottom. The end walls are provided with comer flaps 4 having upwardly projecting tongues 5 engageable with the portions of the side walls above the slits 6 in the side walls which extend diagonally upward and open at the end edges of the side walls as is clearly shown in the blank of Fig. 5.

When the box is erected the lower edges of the corner flaps are inserted through the slits and the tongues engaged with the upper edges thereof or the portions lot the walls above the slits. This effectively supports the walls in erected position with the bottom edges 8 of the flaps resting upon the bottom I as is shown in Fig. 2.

The cover also formed of a cut and scored blank comprises a top 9, side walls Ill and end walls H. The side walls are provided with corner flaps l2 having downwardly projecting tongues 13. The

end walls are provided with diagonally disposed slits l4 opening to their end edges and adapted to receive the corner flaps with the top edges of the corner flaps engaging the inner side of the top. The tongues on the corner flaps l2 engage the portions ii of the end wallsbelow the slits l4 and it will be noted that they are on the inner sides of the end walls and project inwardly somewhat. The cover is of such dimensions as to telescope over the body ot-the box and is desirably a relatively close fit.

To prevent the portions of the corner flaps of the top, which project within the end walls of the top, from engaging the end walls of the bottom and thereby displacing the corner flaps or preventing the closing of the box, the end walls of the box are provided with notches l6- suitably spaced to receive the inwardly projecting tongue port-ions l3 of the corner flaps during the initial closing movement of the box as is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The recesses are conformed to provide camming edges IGI, which engage the inwardly projecting parts of the corner flaps as the cover is further moved or adjusted to closed position as shown in Fig. 5 deflecting these parts l3 outwardly so that the cover may be completely closed without engagement of the corner flaps or otherwise displacing or injuring the interlocking parts. This greatly facilitates the closing of the box and without likelihood of displacing the corner flaps or disengaging the interlocking parts of the box. With the box body thus arranged the side walls of the top close over the corner flaps without engagement therewith.

I have illustrated and described one form of interlock for the walls of the box and cover but it will be understood that there are other forms of interlock in which the locking tongues project interiorly of the walls and therefore my claims are not conformed to the particular form of interlock which is illustrated and described.

Both the cover and the body are desirably formed of integral blanks 9 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and may be easily and quickly set up either by hand or by machinery. This permits the box parts being shipped in the knockdown and set up by the user and the cover assembled with the body without likelihood of the interlocking parts becoming disengaged or the walls distorted. My invention is well adapted for use in a covered box or carton in which the walls of the body are glued or otherwise secured in erected position.

I have used the terms side walls and end walls for convenience in description but it will be understood that the box may be a square box where desired and the terms side and end walls would be arbitrarily applied.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as. may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A box comprising a body formed of an integral blank comprising a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of the end walls, the side walls having slits opening at their end edges receiving the lower portions of the corner flaps when the parts are erected, the corner flaps having upwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the side walls above the slits when the parts are erected, and a cover formed of an integral blank comprising top and side and end walls hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of the side walls, the end walls having slits opening to their end edges receiving the upper portions of the corner flaps when the parts are erected, the corner flaps having downwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the end walls below the slits and projecting inwardly of said end walls when the parts are erected, the cover being proportioned to telescope over the body, the end walls of the body having notches opening at their upper edges and positioned to receive said inwardly projecting tongue portions of the cover corner flaps with edges of the notches constituting cam elements inclined downwardly and disposed in the path of movement of said inwardly projecting tongue portions to deflect the same outwardly as the cover is closed.

2. A box comprising a bodyformed of an integral blank comprising a bottom and side and end walls hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of the end walls, the side walls having slits therein, the corner flaps'having upwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the side walls above the slits when the parts are erected, and a cover formed of an integral blank comprising top and side and end walls hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of the side walls, the end walls having slits therein, the corner flaps having downwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the end walls below the slits and projecting inwardly of said end walls when the parts are erected, the cover being proportioned to telescope over the body, the end walls of the body having notches opening at their upper edges and positioned to receive said inwardly projecting tongue portions of the cover corner flaps with edges of the notches constituting cam elements inclined downwardly and disposed in the path of movement of said inwardly projecting tongue portions to deflect the same outwardly as the cover is closed.

3. A box comprising a body formed of an integral blank comprising a bottom and wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements having slits opening at their end edges through which the lower portions of the corner flaps are disposed when the parts are erected, the corner flaps having tongues engageable with the portions of the wall elements above the slits therein when the parts are erected, and a cover formed of an integral blank comprising top and opposed pairs of wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements having slits therein through which the upper portions of the corner flaps are disposed when the parts are erected, the corner flaps having downwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the wall elements below the slits and projecting inwardly of said, wall elements when the parts are erected, the cover being proportioned to telescope over the body, the wall elements of the cover having the corner flaps thereon corresponding to the wall elements of the body having the slits therein, the wall elements of the body corresponding to the wall elements of the cover having the slits therein having notches in their upper edges positioned to receive said inwardly projecting tongue portions of the cover corner flaps with edges of the notches constituting cam elements inclined downwardly and disposed in the path of move- -ment of said inwardly projecting tongue portions to deflect the same outwardly as the cover is closed.

4. A box comprising a body formed of an integral blank comprising a bottom and wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elementshaving slits therein, the corner flaps having tongues engageable with the portions of the wall elements above the slits therein when the parts are erected, and a cover formed of an integral blank comprising top and opposed pairs of wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements having slits therein, the corner flaps having downwardly projecting tongues engageable with the portions of the wall elements below the slits and projecting inwardly of said wall elements when the parts are erected, the cover being proportioned to telescope over the body, the wall elements of the cover having the corner flaps thereon corresponding to the wall elements of the body having the slits therein, the wall elements of the body corresponding to the wall elements of the cover having the slits therein having notches in their upper edges positioned to receive the inwardly projecting portions of the corner flaps of the cover with edges of the notches constituting cam elements inclined downwardly and disposed in the path of movement of said having slits therein, the

. inwardly projecting tongue portions to deflect the same outwardly as the cover is closed.

5. A box comprising a body and a cover each formedof an integral blank and comprising bottom and wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements having slits therein, the corner flaps having portions engageable through slits and projecting interiorly of the walls having the slits, the cover being proportioned to telescope over the-body, the wall elements of the cover having the corner flaps thereon corresponding to the wall elements of the body having the slits therein, the wall elements of the body corresponding to the wall elements of the cover having the slits therein having notches in their upper edges positioned to receive the inwardly projecting portions of the cover corner flaps during the initial closing of the cover, edge portions of the notches constituting camming elements disposed in the path of movement of the inwardly projecting portions of the corner flaps of the cover for deflecting inwardly projecting portions outwardly to clear the edges of the body as the cover is closed.

6. A box comprising a body and a cover adapted to telescope over the walls of the body, the cover comprising a bottom and wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements corner flaps having portions engageable through the slits and projecting wardly projecting portions of the cover corner flaps during the initial closing of the cover, edge portions of the notches constituting camming elements disposed in the path of movement of the inwardly projecting portions of the corner flaps of the cover for deflecting said inwardly projecting portions outwardly to clear the body as the cover is closed.

7. A box comprising a body including bottom and upright walls and a cover adapted to telescope over the walls of the body, the cover comprising a top and wall elements hingedly connected thereto, and corner flaps hingedly connected to the ends of one opposed pair of wall elements, the other opposed pair of wall elements having slits therein, the corner flaps having portions engageable through the slits and projecting interiorly of the walls having the slits,

the walls of the body corresponding to the walls interiorly of the walls having the slits, the walls 35 of the body corresponding to the walls of the cover having the slits therein having notches in their upper edges positioned to receive the in- I of the cover having the slitstherein having recesses in their upper edges, edge portions of the recesses constituting camming elements disposed in the paths of the said inwardly projecting portions of the corner flaps and acting to deflect them outwardly and guide them between the telescoping walls.

RICHARD C. STENGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'IS 

